Saints HC says backup QB job is up for grabs

Derek Carr is undoubtedly the Saints' starting quarterback heading into the 2024 season, but who will serve as his backup is yet to be determined.

New Orleans has a couple of options in second-year quarterback Jake Haener and fifth-round rookie Spencer Rattler. 

Head coach Dennis Allen says both players will be given plenty of opportunities to make their case and doesn't expect a final decision until much closer to the start of the regular season.

"That thing is going to battle out all throughout training camp," Allen said via Katherine Terrell of ESPN.

Both provide intriguing options.

Haener, the team's fourth-round pick from a year ago, threw for 6,992 yards, 53 touchdowns and just 12 interceptions during his final two seasons (2021-22) at Fresno State.

Rattler, on the other hand, passed for 6,212 yards, 37 touchdowns and 20 interceptions during his two years (2022-23) at South Carolina while also rushing for 150 yards and seven touchdowns.

Still, both quarterbacks have much to prove at the next level, and Allen doesn't want either to be too conservative this time of year.

"Part of it, out here during this time, and even during training camp, is figuring out what you can do and what you can't do," Allen said during OTAs. "And if I never really take a chance, then I never really know what you can or can't do in our league. And I think you find out here that the windows close a little faster than they do in college."

The Saints are hoping whoever wins the backup quarterback job doesn't see the field this season, but if Carr, 33, struggles or must miss time due to injury, they will be called upon.

It's unknown when that time will come, but that's why Haener is doing everything he can to prove he can be the franchise's future.

"I don't know, however long Derek wants to keep playing, they've got to try to potentially draft somebody ... to try to potentially set things up for the future," Haener said. "And if that's me and Spencer, then whoever is better and whoever can set this organization up for future success, then all for it. That's kind of how I see it."